Chambersburg Police see 13% increase in crime over last year

Chambersburg is experiencing a 13 percent increase in crime so far this year over the same period last year - something police attribute to a growing population and increasing drug problems.

For criminal arrests this year compared to January through July 2012, police saw an 11.4 percent increase in misdemeanors and felonies, a 14.7 percent increase in traffic violations, and a 15 percent increase in non-traffic citations, said Chambersburg Police Chief David Arnold.

"We are on the rise," he said. "I was pretty shocked. I got the sense that our numbers were up, but I didn't think they were that much in an upward trend."

Troopers with the Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg, station have responded to a total of 11,801 incidents as of Oct. 22, said Lt. Robert F. Johnson, station commander.

In the station, the number of criminal arrests made by PSP from January to July was 1,320 in 2011 and 1,422 in 2012, he said. Troopers saw an 8 percent increase in misdemeanors and felonies, a 25 percent increase in traffic citations and a 10 percent increase in non-traffic citations.

"That reflects a 12 percent increase from last year," Johnson said in an e-mail.

Overall, Chambersburg Police project they will receive 18,000 calls for service this year, compared to about 17,200 in 2011 and 16,400 in 2010. Uniform crime reports, which include rape, homicide, property crimes, theft and more, are projected to be 2,408 this year, an increase from 2,277 in 2011 and 2,288 in 2010.

"It just shows that the trend kind of bottomed out and now is starting to climb back up," Arnold said. "I get the sense some folks may have left for work but the economy, again, as it slowly improves, these folks are coming back."

DUI arrests have also continued to rise over the last few years with 110 in 2009, 135 in 2010 and 142 in 2011, Arnold said. Projections show 2012 will be on par with 2011.

One thing police are seeing more are DUI arrests involving not only alcohol but also drug use with alcohol, he said.

"That trend just isn't here in Chambersburg, that's a nationwide phenomenon," Arnold said. "We're seeing more illegal prescription drugs, more of the bath salts and synthetic marijuana. We're seeing a lot of folks use (synthetic marijuana) in conjunction with DUI arrests."

In 2010 and 2011, drug-related crimes comprised about 700 incidents each year; however, that number is projected to surpass that this year, he said.

State police responded to 245 incidents in all of 2011 that involved drug use, Johnson said. So far, that number is 217 in 2012.

Another new trend is that they are seeing an increase in false reports of theft of prescription medication (so the person can get a refill sooner that is scheduled or prescribed) as well as robberies of medications, Arnold said. In 2012, two pharmacies were robbed and one was burglarized twice.

"The objective of these criminals was not money, but the drugs," he said. "A robbery at a pharmacy going back five to 10 years would have been unheard of but now, here we are."

Chambersburg Police have responded to a number of major incidents this year, including Monday's shooting and Tuesday's standoff incidents. Additionally, there was the Sept. 17 homicide of Calvin Beam, the Aug. 21 shooting at Carson's Motel, and the 26 burglaries in July and August. Many of these incidents were drug related, police said.

"Those particular burglars, like many, had a drug or alcohol problem. Some were hooked on prescription drug medications and were stealing to continue their habit," Arnold said.

At Carson's Motel, the incident involved a drug deal and suspects who had a drug connection as well, he said. That investigation has since been completed and turned over to federal officers for indictments to be issued .

During a presentation to Chambersburg Borough Council, President William McLaughlin questioned whether Carson's Motel in particular was a "hot spot" for drug-related activity.

All hotels in town have their fair share of unwanted activity, something that could possibly be attributed to the borough's proximity to Interstate 81, Arnold said.

"People that are here for the wrong reasons sometimes gravitate to certain hotels or they switch up," he said. "It's not always one hotel, but this probably is a hotel that probably has a little more activity than some of the other ones."

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Samantha Cossick can be reached at scossick@publicopinonnews.com and 262-4762.

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